Editorial: Merit in questions, but actions speak louder

The City by the Sea, the City of Makers, or simply home, Burnie has been called, and known for, many things.

The Living in Burnie Survey, an initiative of local man Bob Tolputt, has encouraged some community introspection of late.

Mr Tolputt says he’s “just a bloke asking questions”, and was overwhelmed by the strong response, with more than 1200 people participating.

The overall result, he said, suggested that people are depressed about the city – an impression that those who love living in Burnie and who are proud of their community are unlikely to receive well.

The criticisms of demographer and social researcher Amina Keygan, who said the survey was “quite problematic”, are valid.

The survey did feature negatively-geared questions and the language was not neutral.

It’s greatest failing, however, is that such a survey – where people have to choose to actively participate – cannot give an accurate snapshot of the views of locals.

People are more likely to make an effort to complain than they are to give praise.

This is not to say that such complaints are without merit or that there was no value in the survey.

What it tells us is that there are many who do not feel so positive about their community and that – together with the specific concerns raised – should be noted by elected representatives, at all levels.

Against this negativity must be weighed Burnie’s transformation over the past 20 years or so.

Perhaps those of us who live on the Coast need to step back sometimes and look at the bigger picture because so much has changed and for the better.

The economic circumstances the city – and the entire region – face today also pale in comparison to those of the 1990’s.

Those who do hope for Burnie to become a better place to live should also consider their own contribution.

To quote a dead American president: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

The countless volunteers who run events, manage clubs and generally help others show that anyone can make a positive difference in their community.

A community is what we all make it, and while we should not be shy to criticise such bodies as the local council, we should keep some perspective because they will never have all the answers and nor should they.